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I would agree. There are so many identical parts between the two bikes (aside from bodywork) that there must be very little additional cost to BMW to offer the RT while realizing a good bump in sales. Win-Win and another reason why I don't think the RT is in jeapordy.... I think the strong growth in GS bikes bodes well for the RT...
My feeling is that it isn't a problem for at least another 5+ years when Euro-6 regs come into effect for motorcycles, and they have several tech bits that can help.... the shift-cam made me a believer that there is at least one more design cycle left, and I"m sure some new tech after that. So, no regrets on the purchase of a 2019...
But it is true that adventure bikes are by far the most popular at the moment with the GS listed as the largest seller in the USA and, by my quick calculation anyway, 60% of all global Boxer sales.
I don't think that spells doom for the RT by any means and BMW will always need an alternative tourer to the K1600
I do think the Boxer engine itself is an Achilles heel though. There is only so much efficiency and power one can wring from the design (I drive a Subaru so I guess you'd call me a Boxer fan) and eventually I think the RT will need to move to something else to stay competitive and within increasingly tight emission laws. But, the shift-cam made me a believer that there is at least one more design cycle left, and I"m sure some new tech after that. So, no regrets on the purchase of a 2019.
I'm curious as to what it is about the Boxer Engine that makes it harder to keep up with emissions standards. The tolerances are now nice and tight thanks to liquid cooling. Internal combustion engines comes in many forms, but in the end they are all: air/fuel in - explosion - exhaust out. Is it the maximum reasonable CC size the aspect that you mean?
I think the RT will either be updated or replaced with a new model based on the S1000 engine and platform. The current RT model is very dated and a declining percentage of BMW motorcycle sales. Putting the new 1250 engine in the RT was a very inexpensive way to extend the life of the RT while eliminating the "wet head" engine from the lineup.
*******I heard that by 2030 everything will be solar powered electric.